It’s supposed to promote reading and help inner-city kids. I couldn’t turn Lilly down when she asked me to help.
“Of course. I’m excited. It’s going to be great.”
Lilly drops me off at the hockey house. Grabbing my hockey bag, I throw it in the trunk of my car and head inside to grab my school bag.
School is... well, school. Nothing new and nothing exciting. I go about my day, do my work, have lunch with my best friend, Aria, and some of my teammates, head back for a few more classes, then swing by the football field to see my dad.
The football team has practice today, and normally, I try to avoid the football field as much as I can.
Papers in hand, I head toward my dad. He’s shouting something at the players, and I smile, chuckling as I shake my head. He’s a scary man to most people, but once you get to know him, he really is a big teddy bear.
“Hey!” I shout, getting his attention.
“Bennett.” He grins. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“I know.” I chuckle. “Not by my own free will.”
“Oh boy. Who sent you here? Mom?”
“Nah, Lilly. She needs you to sign something for the store.”
“Shit.” He takes the paper. “Okay. I’ll get these done. Give me a second.”
“Take your time. But I do need to be at the store in an hour to help out with their new reading program."
He nods and stalks over to the bench.
Shoving my hands into my pockets, I look out at the field. It’s a shame I avoid the football players because a lot of them are so damn fine.
My eyes land on Roland Holloway, and I groan when he bends over. I swear to god those pants do wonders for their asses.
“Not sure if I should be jealous of you eyeing up my teammate like a piece of meat or not.”
My spine prickles at the sound of my ex-boyfriend's voice. Another reason I don’t come here.
“Liam.” I force a smile.
“Looking good, Bennett.” He licks his lips, eyes slowly roaming over me. I’m not wearing anything special. Just jeans and a black T-shirt.
“Thanks,” I say dismissively, eyes finding the field again.
“You know, I’ve been meaning to reach out.”
“Yeah, why's that?” I look back at him. “We have nothing to talk about.”
“Don’t be like that. It was one time. It meant nothing.”
I snort. “That’s what they all say. Cheating is cheating, Liam, and I don’t put up with it.”
“So you’re really going to throw away three years?”
“I threw away nothing.” Anger starts to fill me. I hate giving this asshole any sort of reaction. I’m over him, but it doesn’t mean the betrayal hurts any less. “You did. You’re the one who slipped and fell into some girl's pussy. Not me.”
“It was one time,” he defends.
“Richman!” my father barks. “Get your ass back on the damn field.”
He lets out a frustrated grunt. “This isn’t over,” he tells me. “I want to talk.”
